Sounds like those ALCOs were anything but slippery. It adds to my (non-professional) impression that the K28's were a very sound design. I wish more had survived WWII. Just about everyone I have heard talk about the 470's on this board has had nothing but positive things to say about them. Just out of curiosity, did the 470's have any negative attributes?
If I had a vote on which locomotive to create a replica of first, it would be a K28...... I am biased, however, because my first train ride ever was behind #473 back in 1970. I guess it is no suprise that 473 is also my favorite.
Ah to see #479 pulling the Shavano alongside Tomichi Creek...... or #474 on its way to Crested Butte........